The number of urban railway lines in Busan and Incheon will increase to 18 and 12, respectively. In Busan, the travel time will be reduced by about 40% by making Lines 1 and 2 express lines.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on the 18th that the urban railway network construction plan amendments submitted by Busan and Incheon have undergone verification by specialized research institutions, consultations with related ministries, and review by the National Transportation Committee, and are scheduled to be officially announced on the 21st.
Busan has prepared the plan focusing on strengthening connectivity between urban and metropolitan railway networks, promoting balanced development between eastern and western Busan areas, and enhancing operational efficiency by making Lines 1 and 2 express lines.
New projects include the "Osiria Line," which extends Urban Railway Line 2 to the Osiria Tourist Complex, a representative tourist area in the eastern Busan region, and the "Oryukdo Line Extension," which extends the catenary-free tram demonstration line under construction through national R&D to Oryukdo.
An express service project for the efficient operation of Urban Railway Lines 1 and 2 will also be promoted. Upon completion, travel time on Line 1 will be reduced by 43% (from 78 minutes to 44 minutes) compared to local service, and Line 2 will be reduced by 36% (from 85 minutes to 54 minutes).
The 10 new projects amount to approximately 4.4003 trillion KRW. Once all projects included in the plan are completed, Busan's urban railway network will expand from the current 8 lines (158 km) to 18 lines (251 km).
Incheon has prepared its plan focusing on establishing a public transportation system centered on urban railways, balanced development between new and old downtown areas, and expanding benefits from the metropolitan area express railway (GTX) Line B.
The plan includes the Bupyeong Coastal Pier Line (Bupyeong Station to Coastal Pier), Jemulpo Coastal Pier Line (Jemulpo Station to Coastal Pier), and the extension of Incheon Line 1 to Songdo 8 District.
The 8 new projects amount to approximately 2.862 trillion KRW. Once all projects included in the plan are completed, the number of lines will increase from the current 4 lines (90 km) to 12 lines (178 km).
Kang Hee-eop, Director of the Railway Bureau at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, said, "With the amendments to the urban railway network construction plans for Busan and Incheon, a foundation has been laid to smoothly promote urban railway projects, which are representative low-carbon and eco-friendly public transportation means," adding, "We will also actively support follow-up procedures such as preliminary feasibility studies for each line to ensure smooth progress."
The urban railway network construction plan is a top-level 10-year urban railway plan established by the mayor or governor and approved by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. It can be amended after a feasibility re-examination every five years.
Each project included in the plan will be promoted through step-by-step procedures for urban railway construction, such as preliminary feasibility studies by line and the establishment of basic and business plans for urban railways.
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